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miRNA Mimics & Inhibitors |
miRNA mimics are synthetic RNA molecules designed to imitate endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) in cells. By mimicking natural miRNAs, these molecules can be introduced into cells to enhance the regulation of target genes, effectively increasing the gene silencing activity of specific miRNAs.
miRNA inhibitors are synthetic molecules designed to bind to and inhibit endogenous miRNAs, preventing them from interacting with their target mRNAs.
Both miRNA mimics and miRNA inhibitors are important tools in the field of functional genomics and gene regulation research, enabling the modulation of miRNA activity to understand complex cellular processes in development and disease etiology.
Do you understand how miRNA is different from siRNA?
Read our blog article that compares key features and uses for siRNA vs miRNA.
Selecting a miRNA mimic or inhibitor
We recommend mirVana mimics and inhibitors for specific and potent functional analysis of endogenous microRNAs. Our Pre-miR and Anti-miR reagents remain relevant for ongoing studies that have benefited from these original product formats.
| miRNA mimics for gain-of-function studies | miRNA inhibitors for loss-of-function studies | |||
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| Mechanism of action | Functions like endogenous miRNA to cause downstream gene target silencing | Blocks endogenous miRNA activity preventing silencing of downstream gene target mRNA | ||
| mirVana Mimics RECOMMENDED | Pre-miR Mimics | mirVana Inhibitors RECOMMENDED | Anti-miR Inhibitors | |
| Content database coverage | miRBase v.22 | miRBase v.15 | miRBase v.22 | miRBase v.15 |
| Available formats | Individual tubes, custom plated collections, or whole genome library | Individual tubes | Individual tubes, custom plated collections, or whole genome library | Individual tubes |
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miRNA libraries
Explore available miRNA mimic and inhibitor libraries to support your screening workflow.
miRNA controls
Complete your experiment with our available miRNA mimic and inhibitor controls.
mirVana miRNA reagents for functional analysis
The mirVana suite of synthetic miRNA mimics and miRNA inhibitors are:
- Chemically modified for optimal performance
- Pre-designed for thousands of microRNAs across a wide range of species in miRBase v.22
- Complemented by a suite of miRNA tools for detection and analysis
miRNA mimics with superior specificity
mirVana miRNA mimics are chemically modified double-stranded RNA molecules designed to mimic endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs), resulting in down-regulation of target mRNA translation due to mRNA sequestration or degradation. Like native miRNAs, these mimics have two strands—the mature, or guide strand, which is functional and used by the Argonaute (Ago) protein to target mRNAs, and the passenger strand (formerly called the star strand), which may or may not have native targets of its own.
The chemical modifications in mirVana miRNA mimics inactivate the passenger strand to help ensure that the guide strand (representing the desired mature miRNA) is taken up by Ago to produce the miRNA effect (Figure 1). mirVana miRNA mimics are designed to produce maximum and consistent effects at concentrations as low as 0.3 nM and are available individually or as libraries.
Figure 1. mirVana miRNA mimics demonstrate high specificity. HeLa cells were transfected with one of six different mirVana miRNA mimics at 3 nM concentration and a corresponding reporter plasmid. The fold change in reporter gene expression for each miRNA mimic strand was determined by measuring expression in the presence of mimic relative to that of a negative control (set at 1.0). Each plasmid has the reporter gene cloned both in forward orientation (Fwd) to measure activity of the miRNA mimic mature strand, and in reverse/complement orientation (Rev) to test activity of the passenger strand. For all six mimics, mature strand activity is high (reporter gene expression reduced 5- to 10-fold compared with negative control), and passenger strand activity is low or absent (similar to negative control).
miRNA inhibitors with excellent potency
mirVana miRNA inhibitors are chemically modified, single-stranded oligonucleotides with patented secondary structure designed to specifically bind to and inhibit endogenous miRNAs, resulting in up-regulation of target mRNA translation. Compared with competitors, these inhibitors have high potency in vitro inhibition at the lowest miRNA inhibitor concentration (Figure 2). Like the mimics, the mirVana miRNA inhibitors are available individually or as libraries.
Figure 2. mirVana miRNA inhibitors are more potent than those from leading competitors.mirVana miRNA inhibitors and two other commercially available let-7 inhibitors cause increased HMGA2 mRNA levels, which is a natural target of the let-7 microRNA.
Take advantage of in vivo–ready reagents
mirVana miRNA mimics and inhibitors are compatible with in vivo applications and have been validated with Invivofectamine 2.0 Reagent for in vivo delivery (Figure 3) to achieve effective target modulation. In vivo–ready mirVana miRNA mimics and inhibitors are HPLC-purified and in vivo-processed for salt-balancing, sterile filtration, and endotoxin testing to reduce potential immune responses and are ready for immediate in vivo use.
Figure 3. mirVana miRNA inhibitors effectively suppress miRNA in vivo. miR-122 or Negative Control #1 mirVana miRNA inhibitors were complexed with Invivofectamine 2.0 reagent and injected into the tail veins of Balb-C mice on three consecutive days at 7 mg/kg body weight. Significant mRNA up-regulation of all four natural targets of miR-122 was detected in mice treated with miR-122 inhibitor.
miRNA libraries for high-throughput studies
mirVana mimics and inhibitor libraries for high-throughput studies are comprehensive collections of miRNA mimics and inhibitors designed to facilitate large-scale screening and functional analysis of miRNAs across various biological systems. By providing a broad array of miRNA mimics and inhibitors, these libraries allow for the simultaneous modulation of multiple miRNAs, making it possible to identify key regulatory miRNAs involved in specific biological processes or pathological conditions. High-throughput miRNA library screening helps accelerate the discovery of novel miRNA functions, potential therapeutic targets, and biomarkers for diseases.
Additional products for miRNA research
miRNAs require special tools for accurate and sensitive analysis. We offer a broad portfolio of products that help provide complete solutions for either miRNA expression profiling or a targeted quantitation/target.
| Design and build | Deliver | Detect | Validate |
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Questions?
Technical inquires:
Our Technical Application Scientists are available to help assist you at techsupport@thermofisher.com
Ordering & Order Status inquires:
If you have questions about pre-designed RNAi orders and order status, please contact us at genomicorders@thermofisher.com
If you have any questions about Custom RNAi orders and order status, please contact us at RNAiSupport@thermofisher.com
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
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